Arrangement for selective production of sweets, as krokant- or couleur-masses, sugar-nut-bars, sugar-coated nuts, almonds, raisins, pop-corn, or the like

ABSTRACT

An arrangement for the selective production of sweets, as krokant or coloring masses, sugar-nut-bars, sugar-covered bars, almonds, popcorn, raisins or the like, which comprises a raw material working- and dosaging-set, a device for continuous melting of crystal- or other sugar masses, and a cooling- and delivery-device for the finished products. A krokant set, a coloring set, a bar set and a covering set for nuts, almonds, popcorn, raisins or the like are selectively operatively connected between the raw material working- and dosaging-set and the melting device, on the one hand, and the cooling- and delivery-device, on the other hand. Each of the intermediate sets comprises a treating chamber with transportation- and workingtools operating in the treating chamber, and the latter has feeding positions separated from each other for the masses to be worked.

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[72] Inventors ()tto Hansel 5 R f re es Ci d h B UNITED STATES PATENTS8335 emmde bmh 3,009,427 11/1961 Bell ,4 107/4 F [21] Appl. No 853,131Primary Examiner-John E. Murtagh [22] Filed Aug. 26,1969 Attorney-ErnestG. Montague [45] Patented June 15, 1971 [73] Assignee Otto Hansel GmbllHa'mmver, Germany ABSTRACT: An arrangement for the selective productionof sweets, as krokant or coloring masses, sugar-nut-bars, sugarcoveredbars, almonds, popcorn, raisins or the like, which comprises a rawmaterial workingand dosaging-set, a device ARRANGEMENT FOR SELECTIVEPRODUCTION for continuous melting ofcrystalor other sugar masses, and acool1ngand del1very-dev1ce for the finished products. A kro- OF SWEETSAS KROKANT OR COULEUR' kant set a coloring set a bar set and a coveringset for nuts al- MASSES, SUGAR-NUT-BARS, SUGAR-COATED v NUTS ALMONDSRAISINS POP CORN OR THE monds, popcorn, raisins or the hkeareselectlvely operatively LIKE connected between the raw matenal workmganddosagmg- 6 Cl 6 D I set and the melting device, on the one hand, and thecoolingalms rawmg and delivery-device, on the other hand. Each of theinter- [52] U,S.Cl 107/4 mediate sets comprises a treating chamber withtransporta- [51] Int. Cl A23g 3/02 tionand working-tools operating inthe treating chamber, and [50} Field of Search 107/4 F, 4, the latterhas feeding positions separated from each other for 54 F the masses tobe worked.

M 1 1 H 1 1 l l W W; l/ l%wfl PATENTED JUNE 5 I SHEET 1 BF 5 PATENIEDJUN} 51971 SHEET 2 OF 5 PATENTEU JUN] 5 l9?! SHEET 3 BF 5 PATENTED JUN}51971 Fly. 44

SHEET 6 0F 5 :3, mrizz? I 'T OTQ PATENTEB JUNK 5 I97! SHEET 5 BF 5lawn/0r 5 ARRANGEMENT FOR SELECTIVE PRODUCTION OF SWEETS, AS KROKANT- ORCOULEUR-MASSES. SUGAR-NUT-BARS, SUGAR-COATED NUTS, ALMONDS, RAISINS,POP-CORN, OR THE LIKE The present invention relates to an arrangementfor the selective production of sweets, as for instance krokant or colormasses, sugar-nut-bars, sugar-covered nuts, almonds, raisins, popcorn orthe like.

For the production of such products, the most different startingmaterials are knowingly used, in the first place molten sugar masses.However, also other raw materials, as nuts, raisins, almonds, milk, fat,glucose, etc. are added as other starting materials.

A' drawback of the known production arrangements resides in the fact,that they are suitable only for the production of a single product. Theycomprise, under circumstances, an apparatus for the raw material workingand dosaging, as well as a device for the continuous melting orcrystalor other sugar masses and a cooland a removal device for thefinished products. A forming machine could be set at the end of thisarrangement, so that the possibility exists to transform the arrivingtempered mass in the outlet device into predetermined shapes.

It is one object of the present invention, to provide an arrangement forthe selective production of sweets, (as krokant or color masses,sugar-nut-bars, sugar-covered nut, almonds, raisins, popcorn or thelike) wherein the drawbacks of the known arrangements are removed.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an arrangementfor the selective production of sweets, (as krokant or color masses,sugar-nut-bars, sugar-covered nut, almonds, raisins, popcorn, or thelike) which permits selectively to produce in a most economical mannerone or the other of the sweets. In accordance with the presentinvention, this is brought about such, that between the raw materialworking and dosing device and the melting device, on the one hand, andthe cooling and removing apparatus on the other hand, selectively, akrokant set, a coloring set, a bar set or a covering set for nuts,almonds, popcorn, raisins or the like can be shifted in, whereby thesesets to be shifted in between comprise a treating chamber havingconveyanceand working tools operating therein and the treating chamberhas preferably inlet positions separated from each other for the massesarriving for the working.

The sets, to be selectively shifted in the arrangement, are adjusted asto their structure to the different production and the characteristic ofthe product to be produced, respectively. By sensing devices provided inthe treating chamber and at the corresponding conveying members andworking tools, respectively, a continuous control and automaticregulation of the total working steps can be obtained, in particular thetemperature and the humidity can be observed exactly and permit thedosing of the individual ingredients of the masses to be worked as toquantities, so that a fully automatic production and working,respectively, is made possible without requiring additional servinglabor.

With these and other objects in view which will become apparent in thefollowing detailed description, the present invention will be clearlyunderstood in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic elevation of the total apparatus of thearrangement;

FIG. 2 is a schematic axial section of the krokant set;

FIG. 3 is a schematic axial section of the coloring set;

FIG. 4A is a schematic top plan view of the bar set;

FIG. 4B is a schematic elevation of the bar set; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic axial section of the covering set.

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, the totalarrangement comprises a raw material workingand dosaging-set A and amelting device for continuous melting of crystalor other sugar masses Band a coolingand removaldevice D. In accordance with the presentinvention now between the two sets A and B of the entire arrangement, onthe one hand, and the part D, on the other hand, selectively, a part Ccan be shifted in between, which part C as to its structure is adjustedto the desired production.

This part C to be shifted in can be for example a krokant set, asdisclosed in FIG. 2, a coloring set, as disclosed in FIG. 3, a barforming set, as disclosed in FIG. 4,. or a covering set, as disclosed inFIG. 5. These exchangeable sets are suitable as to their measurementsand as to their structure designed such, that they can be connectedwithout difficulty to the already present sets A, B, and D.

Referring new again to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 2, thekrokant set comprises, for instance, substantially a cylindricaltreatment chamber 2 with a feeding screw and working screw 1,respectively, mounted therein. The screw 1 is continuously driven withcontrollable speed by a drive 3. The walls of the treating chamber 2are, as the feeding screw 1, heatable, and in particular, eitherelectrically or by means of any suitable medium. Suitably thetemperature and the heating of the feeding screw 1 and of the treatingchamber 2 are controlled by thermostats, which are settable from thestart to a predetermined temperature point.

It is of importance that the treating chamber is equipped with differententrance openings, slui-ces, or the like, for the feeding of theindividual materials to be worked.

At the start of the feeding screw, that means at the start of thetreating chamber 2, is arranged the entrance opening 4 for nuts,almonds, raisins or other solid bodies, whereby distributor rollers 5 orsimilar means are provided in the entrance funnel. Since the entireconveyor screw and also the treating chamber 2 are alreadycorrespondingly heated, the fed nuts or almonds have the possibility toheat themselves likewise, before they enter the range of the feedingposition 6, in which fat milk, glucose or similar material is fedthereto. Also the here added materials have the possibility of heatingduring its transportation to the feeding position 7, which is disposedbelow the exit of the sugar melting device, :so that the hot moltensugar is fed only at this position into the krokant set and into thetreating chamber 2, respectively. The distance of the individual feedingpositions from each other is chosen such, that the fed materials havealways sufficient time to heat up to the required temperature, so that asolidification of the fed liquid hot sugar mass into the feeding opening7 is not more possible. Behind the entrance position for the moltensugar a corresponding mixing and working of the individually fedmaterials takes place now by means of the conveyor screw 1. Undercircumstances, at about the end of the feeding screw 1, a wobble mixingwheel 8 can be provided, which is driven by the feeding screw orseparately and which serves the purpose to intensify the mixing throughof the individual starting materials. For the same purpose can servebeating tools 9, wings or the like, mounted still to the end of thefeeding screw 1. Finally, the finished worked and prepared krokant masscan be applied through the outlet 10 to the outletand coolingdevice D.

If on the same arrangement instead of krokant, for instance, coloringmaterial is to be produced, the krokant set, as disclosed in FIG. 2, isreplaced by the coloring set, as disclosed in FIG. 3. The lattercomprises again a treatment chamber 2' with the conveyor screw 1'working therein. At the one end of the treating chamber 2 the feedingposition 7 is provided for the molten sugar. This feeding position isfed directly from the melting device. sufficiently distant behind thefeeding position 7' is provided a feeding position I! for hot liquids,as water, sugar solution or the like. Finally, still behind the feedingposition 11 for liquids so-called vapor outlet 12 is disposed, which isrequired, in order to remove the forming steam.

As in the other arrangements, also in the coloring set correspondinglyarrangement temperature measuring devices, thermostats and sensingdevices are provided. In particular, it is also necessary to adjust thefed sugar quantity and liquid quantity, respectively, exactly relativeto each other by means of suitable dosaging devices.

Coloring is knowingly burnt or total caramelized double sugar, which isbrought by the addition of water to a thin liquid consistency. Themolten sugar flowing out of the sugar melting device, which is heatablein the same manner as the previously described krokant set, is brownedto the designed end state. if the desired browning is obtained, thecoloring mass is admixed within the range of the entering branch 1 1with hot water. The water vapors developing during this process areremoved by means of the vapor outlet 12. From the chamber outlet thefinished sugar coloring reaches the outlet and which sugar coloring isimmediately worked further.

It is to be understood, that also coloring like products can be producedon the coloring set, which comprise glucose, malose or starch syrup. Allraw materials are, as already mentioned, fed through dosaging devicesfully automatically in the correct quantity. At this occasion, thepossibility also exists, to add through the dosaging sets for instancecaustic soda or salt of hartshorn.

The color set, as disclosed in FIG. 3, can be replaced also by aso-called bar-forming set, as shown on HO. 4. This is used 20 for thepurpose, in order to produce fully automatically nut bars. A nut bar isto be understood to be a mixture of molten sugar and the most differenttypes of nuts or also almonds or similar material, which is formed tobar-shaped pieces.

In the case of the bar-forming set, in accordance with FIG. 4, thetreating chamber comprises three metal bands l3, l4 and moving with thesame speed, which define at their effective sides a U-shaped feedingchannel between themselves. The bands are driven jointly by a drive (notshown) with controllable speed.

The band 15 forming the bottom of the feeding channel moves over anelectric heating element 16 and through a heating zone, respectively.Behind the latter the band reaches into the working range ofa vibrator17, behind which is connected an air-cooling means 18.

At the start of the band arrangement, a feeding position 19 for nuts,almonds or the like is provided. The solid bodies fed through thisfeeding position 19 are equalized and distributed respectively, by meansof an equalization roller 20 on the band 15. The heating element 15takes care of the feature, that the solid materials fed at the position19 are heated up so far, that the molten sugar masses fed in the feedingsluice 21 do not solidify.

The molten sugar is poured over the previously fed nuts or almonds orthe like. Thereafter, the band arrangement is then displaced by thevibrator 17 into a joggling movement, so that the molten sugar cansurround on all sides the solid material fed thereto.

Finally, in the band arrangement a thick liquid sugar-nut flow isformed. The latter reaches the range of the cooling zone 18 and is herecooled off so far by means of air streams fed through the nozzles 22that it maintains its shape. It reaches at the end of the bandarrangement a table 23 and can here be divided by a knife arrangement 24into selectively large pieces. Finally, the pieces divided from the floware transferred to the outletand cooling device D. From here the piecescan still be fed into a covering device or to a packing station. Thecooling device D and the outlet device respectively can operate fasterfor a certain degree than the band arrangement formed in the treatmentchamber, so that the pieces divided from the flow are separated fromeach other and can be cooled better.

Finally, it is also possible to replace the bar-forming device, inaccordance with FIG. 4A and B, by a covering device in accordance withHO. 5. The latter comprises substantially a correspondingly largecontinuously driven and heatable mixing drum 25 with feeding curves 26,disposed screwlike at the inside of the drum 26. In the feeding side ofthe drum 25 is provided a feeding screw arrangement 27, which is againheatable and which serves the purpose of feeding solid bodies, a nuts,almonds, popcorn, raisins and the like which are assigned from adosaging device (not shown) and fed into the inside of the mixing drum25. Simultaneously, a feeding funnel 28 projecting to about the drumcenter is provided over which feeding funnel 28 the molten sugararriving from the sugar melting device is fed. Also in this set, whichserves the purpose of covering the solid bodies, as nuts, almonds,popcorn or the like, with a sugar layer, the previously describedcontrol possibilities are applied thereto. The solid materials are againpreheated, so that an all-around cover of molten sugar can be formedfast and easily inside of the mixing drum.

0n the outside of the mixing drum, individual pieces covered with sugarfall onto the cooling and outlet device D, as it has been describedbefore. From this device, the individual parts are fed to a packingstation, where they are packed in conventional manner.

While we have disclosed one embodiment of the present invention, it isto be understood that this embodiment is given by example only and notin a limiting sense.

We claim:

1. An arrangement for the selective production of sweets, as krokantorcoloring-masses, sugar-nut-bars, sugar-covered bars, almonds, popcorn,raisins or the like, comprising a raw material workingand dosaging-set,

a device for continuous melting of crystalor other sugar masses,

a coolingand delivery-device for the finished products,

a krokant set, a coloring set, a bar set and a covering set for nuts,almonds, popcorn, raisins or the like being selectively operativelyconnected between said raw material workingand dosaging-set and saidmelting device, on the one hand, and said coolingand delivery-device, onthe other hand,

each of said intermediate sets comprising a treating chamber withtransportationand working-tools operating in said treating chamber, and

said treating chambers having feeding positions separated from eachother for said masses to be worked.

2. The arrangement, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said treatingchamber of said krokant set includes a continuously driven, heatable androtating feeding screw and heatable walls,

selectively feeders and sluices for the separate feeding of solidbodies, of liquid masses and of molten sugar emerging from said meltingdevice are disposed in series in said treating chamber in the directionof feeding, and

selectively tools, mixing apparatus and beating apparatus following saidfeeder and sluices.

3. The arrangement, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said coloring setcomprises a continuously driven feeding screw rotating in said treatingchamber having heatable walls,

a feeding means or sluice provided at one end of said treating chamberfor the molten sugar emerging from the melting device,

a liquid feed following said feeding means in the direction ofconveyance for hot water, sugar solution, and

a vapor removal means provided in said treating chamber.

4. The arrangement, as set forth in claim 1, wherein for the formationof said bar set said treating chamber comprises conveyor bands movingparallel to each other with equal speed defining therebetween a U-shapedfeeding channel, and

in the direction of conveyance in series is disposed behind each otherwithin the range of the heating zone a feeding station for solid bodies,

thereafter a feeding apparatus for the molten sugar emerging from saidmelting device, and a device increasing the density of the material tobe worked,

a following cooling zone for solidification of the line of masses, and

a dividing device is provided,

5. The arrangement, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said covering setcomprises substantially a heatable rotating mixing drum with a feedingcurve extending screwlike on the inner wall of said mixing drum,

matic regulation of the temperature conditions and for the quantitativedosaging of the individual masses to be worked, as well as for thecontrol of the passing-through speed provided in the treating chamber ofeach of said sets and on said complementary feeding means.

2. The arrangement, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said treatingchamber of said krokant set includes a continuously driven, heatable androtating feeding screw and heatable walls, selectively feeders andsluices for the separate feeding of solid bodies, of liquid masses andof molten sugar emerging from said meltiNg device are disposed in seriesin said treating chamber in the direction of feeding, and selectivelytools, mixing apparatus and beating apparatus following said feeder andsluices.
 3. The arrangement, as set forth in claim 1, wherein saidcoloring set comprises a continuously driven feeding screw rotating insaid treating chamber having heatable walls, a feeding means or sluiceprovided at one end of said treating chamber for the molten sugaremerging from the melting device, a liquid feed following said feedingmeans in the direction of conveyance for hot water, sugar solution, anda vapor removal means provided in said treating chamber.
 4. Thearrangement, as set forth in claim 1, wherein for the formation of saidbar set said treating chamber comprises conveyor bands moving parallelto each other with equal speed defining therebetween a U-shaped feedingchannel, and in the direction of conveyance in series is disposed behindeach other within the range of the heating zone a feeding station forsolid bodies, thereafter a feeding apparatus for the molten sugaremerging from said melting device, and a device increasing the densityof the material to be worked, a following cooling zone forsolidification of the line of masses, and a dividing device is provided,5. The arrangement, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said covering setcomprises substantially a heatable rotating mixing drum with a feedingcurve extending screwlike on the inner wall of said mixing drum, aheatable screw is preceding said mixing drum for the continuous feedingof solid bodies, and a feeding funnel is disposed inside of said screwfor the sugar emerging from said melting device.
 6. The arrangement, asset forth in claim 1, which includes sensing devices for the continuouscontrol and for the automatic regulation of the temperature conditionsand for the quantitative dosaging of the individual masses to be worked,as well as for the control of the passing-through speed provided in thetreating chamber of each of said sets and on said complementary feedingmeans.